Chrysanthemum plant named Apricot Impala

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Apricot Impala particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; single daisy capitulum type; apricot ray floret color; diameter across the face of the capitulum of 45-75 mm; excellent growth habit, and its yellow-green to yellow disc florets.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, andreferred to by the cultivar name Apricot Impala.

Apricot Impala is a spontaneous mutation of Impala, disclosed in apending application of applicant. The new cultivar was discovered byapplicant in a cultivated bed of plants of the parent cultivar Impala inDe Lier, Holland in 1984. The new cultivar was immediately recognized byits apricot ray floret color, as compared to the light pink ray floretsof Impala.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Apricot Impala was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken after discovery of the mutation in acontrolled environment in De Lier, Holland by a technician working underformulations established and supervised by Jacques C. M. Van der Knaap.Horticultural examination of selected units has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for Apricot Impalaare firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

Apricot Impala has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in De Lier, Holland under greenhouse conditions which approximatethose generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Apricot Impala, which in combinationdistinguish this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Single, daisy capitulum type.

3. Apricot ray floret color.

4. Diameter across the face of the capitulum is 45-75 mm.

5. Yellow-green (immature) to yellow (mature) disc florets.

6. Excellent vigor and growth habit.

In comparison to the parent cultivar Impala, Apricot Impala has a bettergrowth habit, apricot ray florets, and a somewhat larger flower. Theflower type, capitulum form, and disc floret color of Apricot Impala aresimilar to those same characteristics of Impala.

Apricot Impala is also similar in many respects except flower color tothe cultivars Cream Impala, Pink Impala, Salmon Impala and GoldenImpala, all of which are also mutations of Impala and disclosed inpending applications of applicant.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows in side view typicalinflorescence and foliage characteristics of Apricot Impala, with colorsbeing as true as possible with illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon in August under natural daylight at DeLier, Holland.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Apricot Impala.

Commercial.--Cut daisy spray.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Daisy.

Diameter across face.--45-75 mm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Apricot.

Color (upper surface).--R.H.S. 21D.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Yellow.

Color (immature).--Yellow-green.

D. Reproductive organs

Androecium.--Present in disc florets; numerous.

Gynoecium.--Present in both disc and ray florets; numerous.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--90 cm.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--R.H.S. 147A.

Shape.--Long lobed and deeply serrated.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Apricot Impala,as described and illustrated, and parts thereof.